Blues stay clear after easing past Gunners

FOOTBALL: Chelsea strengthened its grip on the English Premier League title, moving nine points clear at the top following an easy victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were in cruise control as the Gunners' miserable start to 2017 continued.

Antonio Conte's team moved 12 points clear of Arsene Wenger's men with Tottenham moving into second three points ahead of Arsenal, after a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Chelsea's position was enhanced with Liverpool's shock 2-0 defeat at Hull City, which moved off the bottom following the victory.

The Reds are now 13 points off the top in fourth place.

Chelsea's easy victory was highlighted by a superb individual goal from Eden Hazard, who beat a number of soft challenges in a run which started on the halfway line, before stroking the ball home.

Conte was a satisfied man as he watched Chelsea avenge their worst defeat of the season a 3-0 loss at the Emirates in September.

Chelsea scored early through a Marcos Alonso header after Diego Costa had hit the bar and then came Hazard's cracker.

Cesc Fabregas scored a third after Petr Cech's poor clearance and while Olivier Giroud's late header narrowed the gap, a fourth defeat in nine league matches effectively ended Arsenal's title hopes for another season.

"It was an important game," Contes said.

"I consider Arsenal one of the six teams that can fight for the title until the end of the season.

"To put them 12 points behind is very important for us.

"In every session they show me great attitude and great will to fight and win this league."